Member Since: 10 May 2022
Location: England
Posts: 38
Hard Shell Roof Tent
Hi all, I am looking for some advice (and images) of how you have attached your hard shell roof tents to your disco’s
I have a Tuff Trek overland aluminium hard shell roof tent, that I’ve previously used on my old defender but now wanting to attach it to the disco.
Being an aluminium hard shell it is heavy and very big so don’t want to use a roof rack as I don’t see the benefits as I won’t have any space left and get into weight issues. So predominantly looking for roof bars that are easy to remove when I don’t have the tent fitted as it will get removed when not being used.
Thanks
22nd May 2022 9:57 am
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
You don't need a full roof rack.
The simplest way to mount the tent is like you said installing it with roof bars.
I used Front Runner bars and it worked like a charm.
Since the tent stays all year, I removed the bars and installed it directly on the long rails with spacers. It sits much lower on the roof and looks very clean. But it was a to install.
Below you can see it mounted on 4 Front Runner bars.
Now directly on rails with Front Runner bars on top
Click image to enlarge
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/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
28th May 2022 8:17 pm
jimbo55
Member Since: 10 May 2022
Location: England
Posts: 38
Did you make feet to put the front runner bars onto the disco rails?
May need to go and get a set of extended rails though as not sure putting the 85kg tent on the short rails is a good idea
29th May 2022 4:08 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I used Front Runner feet: Model number FASS012 - 40-50mm
Maybe with wider diy mounting plates that go into the rails.
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/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
31st May 2022 11:48 pm
leeds
Member Since: 30 Aug 2010
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 4316
With longitudinal roof bars and cross bars it can be difficult to reach underneath to fit the clamp nuts. Whereas normally only 2 roof bars are required it may be better to get an extra bar or two. Place a couple of bars as close as possible to the ends and reach in from the ends. Buy some extra long reach ratchet spanners as well is helpful with reach. Extra bar goes into the middle as support rather then clamping point.
HTH
Brendan
1st Jun 2022 6:58 am
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I have the Bush Company Aluminium rooftop tent. I think it's the same as the Tuff Trek.
One of the reasons I chose this tent is that it has already built in cross bras as its main support construction. That's why you can mount it directly on the rails.
And Brendan ist totally right. I had to improvise a huge ratchet to reach some nuts.
FYI I used the "Bush Company Flat Fitment Bracket"
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/// LR3 SE V8 Java Black
1st Jun 2022 7:21 am
jimbo55
Member Since: 10 May 2022
Location: England
Posts: 38
Thanks both, think I’ll get a set of bars and feet and try it, think I will probably end up having to get the extended rails though and unfortunately they are very expensive 👎
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